Everyone in the Camden area will have seen that the land situated between Camden Crescent and Upper Hedgemead Road has become overgrown and unsightly. The land is owned by BANES who acquired it from its previous owners in 1964. Since then the plot has lacked proper management resulting in its current neglected appearance. A group of concerned residents have assembled to look into what could be done to improve matters. Our aim has been to research the origins, historical context and legal status of the land; to audit its ecology and other attributes; investigate potential funding opportunities and to assess options for how it could be transformed. Amongst the constraints on how the land can be used are covenants in the title of the land. We have discussed the project informally with the Council and they are very interested in the project and keen to offer their support.
We would be grateful if you would complete the form included in the newsletter and return it to either: 10 Berkeley Place, BA1 5JH, or 4 Upper Hedgemead Rd, BA1 5NE. Alternatively you can e-mail it to any of the CRA committee.
There has been a lot of concern about litter and the general cleanliness of Camden. The CRA would like to do something about this and any ideas are welcome.
After the success of the first tidy-up on the 11th May, especially on the steps on St Stephen's Road there will be a regular tidy-up on the third Sunday of the Month. Meet on Camden Crescent at 11am to collect a bag. Please bring a stiff broom and some gloves. We aim to walk along the road clearing litter and sweeping the pavement for about an hour.
The council has now decided to implement the CPZ from the 1st July.
The CRA first polled residents about a possible residents parking zone along Camden in 2004. Then the results were indecisive but with strong views both for and against residents parking. However as residents parking zones were established in the neighbouring areas the situation began to change. In order to gauge how sentiment had changed the CRA conducted a new survey of residents views in 2006. This showed a very marked swing in favour of residents parking, especially west of Gays Hill. There are still strong views on both sides but there is now a clear majority in favour along most of Camden Road with over 80% in favour west of Gays Hill. The results of the 2006 survey are included here together with a statement about the situation in 2006.
The council has sent out, end of January 2009, its consultation for residents' parking in Camden. The questionnaire and maps can be downloaded from the links below:
Further information on how the council operate residents' parking can be found on the BANES website here.
The council officer responsible for residents' parking has provided a set of Questions and Answers.
As of 14th October the Council was at last about to advertise proposals for a Camden CPZ. It is understand that this will consist of advertisements in the local press and notices on lamp posts in the roads affected after which there will be a three week period in which to submit comments. We understand that there will apparently not be any displays arranged by the Council, which we feel to be disappointing.
A further revision of the map was received but it is not clear why it is slightly different and so the original, small maps are also linked below.
The CRA has met to discuss these revised proposals and the responded to the council as here. As you can see there are a number of concerns, especially on the proposed one way and the loss of spaces outside City View. The committee made a further response to the council as here.
A further pack of information about the proposed CPZ was received in November 2009 which is listed below (with links).
A warning that this map is quite large. Once it opens up you can change the zoom level 100% and then scroll around the map looking at the detail.